Public Accounts Committee on Feb. 29th, 2024

[Karen Hogan]

Mr. Chair, excuse me.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

Ms. Hogan, the floor is yours.

[Karen Hogan]

We have already started an audit on this program, and we hope to release it in November. However, there may be delays if we have to wait for information from financial institutions.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

There you go.

Things move fast around here.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

Mr. Masse, you have the floor.

[Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné, Bloc, Terrebonne, QC]

The motion is on the floor.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

I understand, Ms. Sinclair-Desgagné.

Did you move the motion or did you put it on notice?

Pardon me. I understood you were putting it on notice, but I could be wrong on that.

[Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné, Bloc, Terrebonne, QC]

I am introducing the motion right now.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

Okay.

One moment, please.

I was just double-checking.

We have a motion that has been moved. It's relevant to the business at hand.

Yes, Mrs. Shanahan.

[Brenda Shanahan, Liberal, Châteauguay—Lacolle, QC]

I think everyone would like to see the motion.

[Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné, Bloc, Terrebonne, QC]

We're kind, we provide the translation.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

Thank you very much.

[Brenda Shanahan, Liberal, Châteauguay—Lacolle, QC]

This is quite interesting. The Auditor General has already started an audit, as she just told us. So I don't understand why my colleague wants to go further with her motion. I think we should see the motion, and we can deal with it right away.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

We haven't received the motion yet.

I think another member wants to speak to that.

Mr. May, if you would like to speak to that, go ahead.

[Bryan May, Liberal, Cambridge, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I did have my hand up, but MP Shanahan basically stole my thunder, to a certain extent. I would have liked to hear the motion again with its specifics.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

Ms. Sinclair-Desgagné, could you repeat your motion in French, please?

If you don't have your earpieces in, please put them in.

[Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné, Bloc, Terrebonne, QC]

That the committee request the Auditor General to conduct an audit of the management of CEBA, including the roles and responsibilities of suppliers.

I think the second part is very important. Today, it has more to do with value for money spent on the services provided by the suppliers.

Madam Auditor General, I would like to focus on that second aspect.

Yes, managing the program is one thing, but did taxpayers get their money's worth?

That's really what I would like to focus on, and that's why I am maintaining the motion.

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

We have received the motion. We're going to send it around.

Ms. Yip, go ahead.

[Jean Yip, Liberal, Scarborough—Agincourt, ON]

Could we suspend and have a look at that?

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

It hasn't been sent. I'm going to propose a way forward here. This is more for Madam Sinclair-Desgagné.

Is this something you would like to debate now? Given that there is an audit coming and given that the Auditor General is right here and has heard it—not to say that the committee has spoken on it—is this something we could pick up again after the recess, or do you feel that it's pressing and should be dealt with now?

[Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné, Bloc, Terrebonne, QC]

I think it's important that we finish the—

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

We could pick up this motion on Tuesday, March 19.

We haven't set a schedule because we have the Auditor General that morning.

[Nathalie Sinclair-Desgagné, Bloc, Terrebonne, QC]

Can we suspend for a few moments?

[The Chair, Conservative, John Williamson]

Sure.

Yes, we'll suspend for a minute.

I'm going to ask the witnesses to hold on a bit. I appreciate your patience.

I'm sorry, Mr. Masse. Do you have your hand up to speak to this?

[Brian Masse, NDP, Windsor West, ON]

It's not on this, Mr. Chair. I'm just hoping I can get my two minutes in real quick.